Magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) enabled cell visualization with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently an intensively studied area of research. In the present study, we have synthesized polyethylene
glycolated (PEG) MNPs and validated their suitability as MR cell labeling agents in in vitro and in vivo experiments. The labeling of therapeutic potent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with small core and
large core MNPs was evaluated. Both MNPs were, in combination with a transfection agent, stably internalized into the MSCs and didn’t show an effect on cell metabolism. The labeled cells showed high contrast in MRI phantom studies. For quantification purposes, the MRI contrast generating properties of cells labeled with small core MNPs were compared with large core MNPs and with the commercial contrast agent Endorem. MSCs labeled with the large core MNPs showed the highest contrast generating properties in in vitro phantom studies and in in vivo intracranial stereotactic injection experiments, confirming the sizeerelaxivity relationship in biological systems. Finally, the distribution of MSCs prelabeled with large core PEGylated MNPs was visualized non-invasively with MRI in a glioma model.